Adaptor and latching means for removably attaching drawers to telescoping ball bearing drawer slides

ABSTRACT

A progressive, full ball bearing, precision, telescoping slide mechanism for the suspension of drawers having an adaptor attached to the drawer to provide simple attachment without tools to the drawer and to permit the drawer to be easily - without tools - removed from the slide when it is desired to do so, and readily reinserted, or interchanged with other drawers. When the drawer is carried by the usual two slides with the adaptors resting on the slides, there is means for releasably locking the adaptors to the outer slide mechanism for positively securing the drawer in place on the slides. The latching mechanism in one arrangement is manually operated. In another arrangement, the latching mechanism latches automatically. Another feature is a combination of stops which will absorb any metal clicking noise at times of opening or closing of drawer, thus, contributing to the elimination of today&#39;&#39;s harmful &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;noise pollution&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; modern office ecology is exposed to. Still another feature comprises means to hold a drawer in the closed position so that a slight forward tilt of the drawer or cabinet will not let the drawer come out as the slides roll very easily. Also, a too forcefully closed drawer has a tendency to come out against, that is, to bounce open. With the present invention, these conditions are overcome.

United States Patent 1191 Hagen et al.

[ ADAPTOR AND LATCHING MEANS FOR REMOVABLY ATTACHING DRAWERS TOTELESCOPING BALL BEARING DRAWER SLIDES [76] Inventors: Magnus F. Hagen,3713 Twilight Dr., Fullerton, Calif. 92632; Fred A. Jordan, 14906Lodosa, Whittier, Calif. 90605 [22] Filed: Sept. 23, 1974 [21] Appl.No.: 508,727

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.396,593, Sept. 12,

1973, abandoned.

Primary Examiner-M. Henson Wood, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Gene A. ChurchAttorney, Agent, or Firm-J. Carroll Baisch [57] ABSTRACT A progressive,full ball bearing, precision, telescoping 1 51 Aug. 26, 1975 slidemechanism for the suspension of drawers having an adaptor attached tothe drawer to provide simple attachment without tools to the drawer andto permit the drawer to be easily without tools removed from the slidewhen it is desired to do so, and readily reinserted, or interchangedwith other drawers. When the drawer is carried by the usual two slideswith the adaptors resting on the slides, there is means for releasablylocking the adaptors to the outer slide mechanism for positivelysecuring the drawer in place on the slides. The latching mechanism inone arrangement is manually operated. In another arrangement, thelatching mechanism latches automatically. Another feature is acombination of stops which will absorb any metal clicking noise at timesof opening or closing of drawer, thus, contributing to the eliminationof todays harmful noise pollution modern office ecology is exposed Stillanother feature comprises means to hold a drawer in the closed positionso that a slight forward tilt of the drawer or cabinet will not let thedrawer come out as the slides roll very easily. Also, a too forcefullyclosed drawer has a tendency to come out against, that is, to bounceopen. With the present invention, these conditions are overcome.

in removing a drawer, or replacing same on the slide mechanisms, theadaptors slide on the outer slide members and it is extremely importantthat there be no projections. on the slides of the adaptors that contactthe outer slide members and slide thereon. Hence, there are certaindetails embodied in the adaptors that are important to the properfunctioning thereof. These details will be further describedhereandafter l6-Claims, 18 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUEZSIHTS 3,901,565

sum 2 [IF 3 mg 96\ $6.9. Hz

ADAPTOR AND LATCHING MEANS FOR REMOVABLY ATTACIIING DRAWERS TOTELESCOPING BALL BEARING DRAWER SLIDES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application, a Continuation-in-part of: Magnus F, Hagenand Fred A. Jordan For: PRECISION TELE- SCOPING BALL BEARING DRAWERSLIDE SUS- PENSION FOR WOOD AND METAL FURNITURE PRODUCTION Ser. No:396,593 Filed: Sept. 12, 1973, now abandoned BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONI. Field of the Invention While the invention has particular utilityembodied in slides for drawers of wood and metal furniture, filecabinets, desks, cabinets and the like, and is shown and described thusembodied, it is to be understood that its utility is not confined,thereto.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are various types of drawer slidesin the prior art of which we are aware having means for removal andreplacement of drawers from their slides, but as far as we are aware,these are not satisfactory for various known reasons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Our invention comprises mounting means andfunctional ball bearing slide features which include in theircombinations, become a part of the precision telescoping ball bearingslides. There is an adaptor attached to the drawer to provide meanswhereby a drawer may be easily attached to the slides without the use oftools and may be easily removed from the slides when it is desired to doso. This permits ready attachment of the drawers to the slides so thatthe drawers may be reinserted or interchanged with other drawers. At thesame time, the invention also eliminates what in offices is called todaynoise pollution caused by the noise and metallic clicking when drawersare moved back and forth in such units as file drawers, desk drawers,department store fixture drawers, etc. Thus it contributes greatly tothe improvement of office ecology.

In this connection, a sound muffling material is employed and ispositioned so that metal to metal contacts are eliminated. The latchmechanism part which drops into a notch provided therefor in the outerslide member, automatically locking the drawer to the slides, preventsany noise or clicking when the moving drawer comes to a stop, either inthe open position or the closed position. Thus, the latch or resilientmaterial or block automatically and releasably locks the drawer to theslide without creating any noise when the drawer is moving.

It should be stated that in order to understand the importance of theinvention that a precision, ball bearing slide is a linkage connecting astationary structure with a moving structure, both being connected tothis slide.

The invention covers the following areas of telescoping, ball bearing,precision drawer slides:

An adaptor attached to a drawer or the like for providing easy and quickremoval of the drawers from the desk, cabinet or the like and easy andquick replacement thereof without the use of tools. This adaptorcomprises a mounting rail which is mounted on or attached to the draweror other moving object;

A locking latch on the adaptors for positively but releasably lockingthe adaptor to the outer members of the slides. In one arrangement, thelocking or latching mechanism locks or latches automatically;

In the automatic latching arrangement, there is a spring for moving thelatch to the locking position. This arrangement provides means fordisconnecting the drawer rail from the slide so that the drawer may belifted off the slide without the use of tools;

The invention also eliminates what in offices is called noise pollutioncaused by the noise and metallic clicking when drawers are moved backand forth in such units as file drawers, desk drawers, department storefixture drawers, etc. Thus, it contributes greatly to the improvement ofoffice ecology;

In the automatic latching arrangement, there are certain very importantfeatures. As described above, it is necessary for the side of the railthat slides on the outer member of the slide mechanism to be free fromany projecting parts and for this reason, the following is important.

Two holes are extruded upwardly from the rail to provide securing meansfor the spring latch which has two latching holes aligned with theextruded holes.

The extruded set-ups are then knurled over the spring latch surfacethereby fastening it or securing it to the rail.

There is a third hole in the rail between the above mentioned two holes.This hole is merely punched out and receives a dimple in the springlatch which protrudes into the metal hole of the rail to lock it. Inthis arrangement then, the spring latch is not creating any shear forcesupon the two outside knurled over extruded protrusions due to the dimplein the center locking it with the hole in the rail and thus taking theside shear forces. These shear forces are applicable when the latchdrops into the slot of the outer member which is provided for thelocking function. In other words, when the latch part drops into theslot provided therefor, in the outer member, the drawer is preventedfrom moving back and forth or being disconnected. Thus, the underside ofthe rail provides a flush surface resting on the upper ball race of theouter member.

A hold-in detent is holding the drawer in position when closed so thatany slide forward tilt of the desk, cabinet or the like, will not letthe drawer come out. Also, this hold-in detent arrangement, will preventthe drawer to come out when it is too forcefully closed.

The slide mechanism also includes provision whereby it is reversible,that is, it can be attached to either side of the drawer. Thus, it isnot necessary to make right and left-hand mechanisms thereby reducingmanufacturing costs.

It is also a part of the invention that it applied to an all-steel, ballbearing, precision, telescoping slide mechanism, which has been patentedunder US. Pat. No. 3,205,025.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are furthersufficiently referred to in connection with the following detaileddescription of the accompanying drawings which represent certainembodiments and arrangements. After considering these examples, skilledpersons will understand that many variations may be made withoutdeparting from the principles disclosed, and l contemplate theemployment of any structures, arrangements or modes of operation thatare properly within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the drawings, which arefor illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1, is a perspective view of a slide mechanism in stalled in a deskand embodying the rail and latch;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan view thereof attached to a drawer, thelatch being in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the latch in the unlatched orreleased position;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the slideand rail with the latch in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged section view taken on line 66 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the top edge of aslide member having a notch therein for reception of a resilient block;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative arrangement;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged longitudinal section view;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 11-11 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken on line l2l2 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view showing a hold-in detent arrangement;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing thehold-in detent arrangement of FIG. 14 in the drawer closed position;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1616 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a very similar view to FIG. 15 but showing the hold-in detentarrangement in a partly closed or partly open position; and

FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of an alternative hold-in detentarrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring more particularly toFIGS. 1 5, there is shown one embodiment of a slide mechanism embodyingthe present invention and indicated generally at 24. The mechanismincludes the usual outer slide member indicated generally at 28 and aninner slide member, not shown, in FIGS. 1 5, but shown and describedhereandafter.

In FIG. 1, there is shown a desk or cabinet 30 having a drawer 32, itbeing understood, of course. that there may be more than one drawer, theinner slide member in this figure being hidden from view since it isfastened to an adjacent part of the desk or cabinet.

Also, it is to be understood that there is a slide mechanism for eachside of the drawer. As shown in FIG. 1, the drawer is in an outward oropen position. The outer slide members of the slides at opposite sidesof the drawer are free to slide into and out of the cabinet 30.

The outer slide member 28, FIG. 1, is shown to be in its extendedposition and it should be noted that the outer slide element is notaffixed to the drawer side wall 34.

The means for attaching the desk drawer to the slides comprises anadaptor or drawer attachment, indicated generally at 36, which incross-section, is shaped like a Z lying on its side. That is, there is ahorizontal portion 38, a vertical upstanding portion or flange 40 alongone longitudinal edge of the horizontal portion, and a depending portionor flange 42 along the opposite longitudinal edge.

The longitudinally extending vertical portion or flange 40 has aplurality of longitudinally spaced openings for screws 44 for attachingthe adaptor 36 to side 46, FIG. 1, of the drawer 32.

The longitudinally extending horizontal portion 38 has a locking clamp,indicated generally at 48.

The locking clamp 48 comprise a lever 50 pivotly attached to thehorizontal part 38, sometimes termed the rail, by any suitable meanssuch as a rivet 54 adjacent one end so as to be freely movable in ahorizontal plane.

Adjacent the opposite end is an upstanding ear 56 so that the lever maybe easily actuated between locking and release position. Intermediatethe ends of lever 50, there is a flange 60 depending at right anglesfrom the outer edge of the lever and at the lower end of flange 60, isan inturned lip 62 normal to said flange 60. As shown, the locking lip62 of the locking clamp 48 fits under and engages the free edge 64 ofthe outer slide member 28. When in this closed position, the lockingclamp 48 now vertically locks together the adaptor 36 and the outerslide element 28, the engagement of the horizontal part 38 of the railand the top of the outer slide member 28 effects secure locking togetherof the adaptor and the outer slide member.

To release the adaptor from the outer slide 28, latch 48 is manuallyactuated by means of the upstanding ear 56 to the release position shownin FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 5, there is also a locking block 68 which is affixed tothe under side of the lever 50 by means of a rivet 70 although any othersuitable fastening means may be used. The locking block 68 is adapted tofit into a locking slot 72 in the upper portion of the outer slideelement 28. More specifically, slot 72 is in the upper ball race 74 ofsaid outer slide member.

While the locking block 68 may be formed of any suitable material, ithas been found preferable to use a resilient material such as rubber,urethane or the like. The locking block 68 has a fairly snug fit in thelocking slot 72 of the outer slide element but a limited amount oflongitudinal movement may occur and the resilient material is soundabsorbing or muffling to substantially eliminate noise.

The drawer 32 is illustrated with its inner end positioned within thecabinet 30 and with the adaptor 36 resting on the top of the outer slideelement 28. When installing the drawer, the locking clamps are open andthe drawer is lowered onto the slide member 28, the lower surface of thehorizontal part 38 of the adaptor coming to rest on the top of the outerslide element 28 so that the slide thus supports the weight of thedrawer and its contents. Moreover, the locking block 68 of the lockingclamp 48 enters the locking slot 72 of the outer slide element 28 whenthe locking clamp is moved to the closed position. Thus, the mutualengagement of these parts provides a longitudinal locking action thatprevents the drawer from moving axially relative to the outer slideelement 28. While it is not shown, there is a similar arrangement on theother side of the drawer 32 so that both sides of the drawer arelongitudinally locked in place relative to the outer slide member of theslides and are supported thereby. When the locking clamp is moved to theclosed position, the inturned lips 62 engage the free edge portion 64 ofthe ball races 74 of the outer slide members to lock the drawer againstlifting or vertical movement.

Now, the drawer may be pushed into or pulled outwardly of the cabinet,the longitudinal locking arrangement between the locking block and thelocking slot assure that the slide mechanism operates as designed, andalso assures that the drawer may be easily removed by unlocking thelocking clamp and lifting the drawer from he sides whenever so desired.

Once the drawer and its affixed adaptors 36 have been lowered onto theouter slide member 28, their respective cross-sections appear asindicated in FIG. 6. It will be seen from this illustration that thedrawer side wall 46 and its affixed adaptor now engage the upper portionof the outer slide member 28 in such a way that the outer slide member28 is pinched between the drawer side wall 46 and the vertical part 40with the upper portion of the outer slide member 28 supporting theweight of the drawer by means of the horizontal part 40. Thus, theengagement of the depending part 42 of the adaptor, coacts with theupper ball race of the outer slide member to prevent transverse movementrelative to each other and thus produces transverse locking between thedrawer and the slide mechanism.

When the drawer is supported by the slide mechanisms, the horizontalportion 38 of the adaptor floats or slightly rests on the curved topportion of the top races 74 of the outer slide members 28. The dependingflanges 42 of the adaptors depend along side the free edges of said topraces of the outer slide member to thereby aid in retaining the drawerin proper alignment with the slides.

When the drawer is in its closed position, the inner and outer membersof the slides are fully telescoped and the adaptor is fully retracted,that is, said adaptor is at its furthest inward position on the topbearing races of the respective outer slide members.

When the drawer is pulled out, the outer slide members 28 of therespective slides first move outwardly to their limit of movement. Up tothe point at which the outer slide members are stopped by the usuallimiting means, the adaptors remain at the position on the top races ofthe outer slide members, but, when the outer slide members are stopped,the drawer may be further pulled out with the adaptors sliding on saidtop races of the outer slide members of the slides at opposite sides ofthe drawer by releasing the locking clamps, the drawers thus beingreleased and adapted to be pulled to the fully extending positionwhereat the rear end of the drawer is clear or substantially clear ofthe desk at the drawer opening.

Should it be desired to remove the drawer, it is pulled outwardly fromthe closed position to the fully extended position. it may then belifted off the slides after the locking clamps have been released. Toreplace the drawer, the reverse procedure is followed.

Thus, it will be apparent that the drawer may be easily and quicklyremoved from the slides of the desk or cabinet and easily and quicklyreplaced. Further, it will be apparent that a drawer may be removed andreplaced by another drawer.

The slides are also practically noiseless and extremely smooth inaction. Opening and closing the drawers is practically effortlessrequiring but a light touch. Removal and replacement of drawers may beeffected quickly and easily.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the outer slidemember may be provided with a similar notch 72 in the'lower ball race.With this arrangement, the slides may be reversed. That is, the slidesmay be attached at either side without otherwise being speciallyconstructed for such an arrangement.

FIGS. 8, 9, 10 AND 11 Referring to FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and 11, there is shownan alternative adaptor and slide arrangement.

The slide mechanism includes the outer slide member 28 of the ususalwell-known character and an inner slide member 80, there being a ballretainer indicated generally at 82 which retains the ball bearings 83and spaces them apart in the ball races of the inner and outer slidemember. The upper ball race of the outer slide member is provided with apair of notches 84 and 86, separated by-dividing part 87, notch 84 beingof greater size than notch 86 and being closer to the end of the slide.Notch 86 is actually a rearward extension of notch 84 and connects withthe rear of notch 84. Adjacent its inner end, the outer slide member hasa raised tab 88 lanced from the upper ball race thereof and openingforwardly.

The slide member is attached within the inner desk opening or otherfixed part, while the outer slide member carries the drawer as will behere and after fully described. The inner slide member has resilientparts 92 and 94 whereby said inner slide member is attached to the desk,cabinet or the like. It is to be noted that the outer slide member isprovided with ridges in the bottom thereof and in the region of theopenings 84 and 86 to thereby strengthen this part of the outer slidemember.

Referring more particularly to the adaptor of FIGS. 8, 9, 10 and11,.said adaptor is indicated generally at 96.

Adaptor 96 comprises what is termed herein a rail 98 of generally in theshape of a Z lying on its side. There is a horizontal part 100 along oneedge, the rail has an upstanding or vertical flange 102 and along theopposite edge, there is a depending flange 104. Horizontal part of therail is adapted to normally rest upon the upper ball race of the outerslide member. The rail may also slide upon the upper ball race undercertain conditions described hereandafter.

Flange 102 is secured to the side of the drawer by means of screws 106or by any other suitable means.

Adjacent the forward end of the adaptor rail is a down-turned andslightly in -turned guide and connector which is in the general shape ofa U lying on its side and indicated generally at 135, the purpose ofwhich will be described hereandafter.

The releasable clamping mechanism comprises a latch or lockingarrangement comprising an elongated resilient spring 108. Spring 108normally lies on the horizontal part 100 of the rail and the rear end ofsaid spring is secured to said horizontal part of the rail by a uniquefastening means comprising upward extrusions 110 from the horizontalpart of the rail so that the under surface of the horizontal part 100 ofthe rail is smooth. There are two holes in the spring latch 108 throughwhich the extrusions 110 extend and are riveted over at their ends 112thereby securing the spring latch to the horizontal part of the rail. Ahole 114 is also provided in the horizontal part of the railintermediate the extrusions 110 and a dimple 116 formed downwardly inthe spring latch, extends into hole 114 and does not extend below thelower plane of the spring latch. This provides a very effective lock sothat the spring latch does not create any shear forces upon the twoextruded parts since the dimple thus takes any side shear forces. Theseshear forces are applicable when the latch drops into the slot of theouter member preventing the drawer from moving backward and forward orbeing disconnected.

At the forward free end of the spring latch 108, there is a holder for apiece of sound muffling material 120, the holder for this materialcomprises a pair of depending ears 122 spaced apart and having inturnedend portions 124 which extend beneath the piece of material 120. Thus,the piece of material 120 is clamped between the inturned portions 124and the adjacent part of the spring latch. Toward the rear of the pieceof material is a downwardly and forwardly inclined tongue 126, whichfunctions as a cam, and is lanced from the spring latch and normallyrests in the notch extension 86 as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. Springlatch 108 has an upturned flange-like structure 127 which is at the sideadjacent the upturned flange 102. This structure has an opening thereinwith a vertical part 128 adapted to be slidingly received in the spacebetween an ear 130 lanced from the vertical part 102 of the rail andspaced outwardly a sufficient distance to slidingly receive the verticalpart 128. Structure 127 has a laterally turned flange 132 which isadapted to be engaged by the thumb or other digit of the operator and anoutwardly turned stop 134 is lanced laterally from the vertical flange102. Stop 134 is spaced upwardly of the spring latch a sufficientdistance to permit the free end of the latch to be raised to clear thematerial 120 and the tongue 126 from the openings 84 and 86 therebyreleasing the adaptor from the outer slide member.

With the adaptors attached to the respective sides of a drawer, thedrawer is placed on the slide members with the horizontal part of therail of the adaptor resting on the upper ball races of the outer slidemembers. When thus placed on the ball races of the outer slide members,the muffling material or block 120 and the tongue or cam 124 rests onthe horizontal part of the rail forwardly of notches 84 and 86 and isforced upwardly against the spring tension of spring latch due to theweight of the drawer. The drawer is then slid rearwardly and, as this isdone, the outer end of the upper ball race, which is slightly notchedalong the free edge, slides into the guide and connector 135 therebyinterconnecting the front end of the adaptor and the front end of theouter slide member. Slightly further movement of the drawer rearwardlycauses the rear end of the horizontal part of the rail to pass beneaththe tab or car 88 thereby interconnecting the rear end of the adaptorand the rear end of the outer slide member. These end parts becomeinterconnected prior to the entrance of the block or muffling material120 into the forward opening in the upper ball race of the outer slidemember. As the drawer is moved further rearwardly, the free end of thecam 126 passes onto the dividing part 87 and keeps the forward free endof the latch spring 108 raised. Still further rearward movement of thedrawer causes the free end of the cam 126 to drop into the opening 86 ofthe upper ball race of the outer slide member and simultaneously allowsthe block or muffling material to drop into the opening 84, thus,preventing linear or longitudinal movement of the adaptor and outerslide element. The structure 127 is held against lateral displacement bythe ear 130.

To remove the drawer from the slide mechanisms, the forward free end ofthe spring latch is raised by means of the flange 132 to a positionwhereat said spring latch engages the stop 134 thus clearing the block120 and the cam 126 with respect to the upper ball race of the outerslide member. The drawer then may be moved forwardly to disengage theforward ends of the adaptor and outer slide member as well as the rearends of these parts. The drawer may then be lifted from the slides andremoved. Replacing of the drawer is effected by placing it on the slidemechanisms with the horizontal part 100 of the rail of the adaptorresting on the upper ball race of the outer slide members. Securing theadaptors and outer slide members together is effected as abovedescribed.

Laterally-turned flange 138 provides a stop at the rear part of theslide mechanism and there is a block 140 which serves as a bumper andsound muffler. This block is attached to the central part 142 of theball retainer, said bumper projecting longitudinally outwardly of theball retainer and clamped onto said central part 142 by means of ashallow channel-shaped bracket 144 which is attached to the central partof the ball retainer by means of a rivet 146. A similar bumper issimilarly attached to the opposite end of the ball retainer. Thus,clicking noises are effectively muffled when either end of the ballretainer strikes a stop. It is also to be noted that the sides 148 ofthe bracket 144 has inturned end parts 150 which aid in preventingdisplacement of the bumpers as they strike stops.

HOLD-IN STOPS FIGS. 14 17 INCLUSIVE In one type of slide mechanism,there is an intermediate member indicated generally at 200, having ahorizontal part 202 with upwardly and downwardly extending flanges 204and 206. This member has a notch or opening 208 intermediate its endsand there is a roller 210 of resilient material such as rubber, plasticor the like carried on a rivet 212 or the like. The rivet may be of anysuitable type and extends through openings provided therefor in ears 214extending downwardly and upwardly from the respective flanges 204 and206.

There are a pair of slide mechanisms secured to the flanges 204 and 206,the inner slide members thereof being the parts secured to said flanges.The slide members are in generally the same plane and the lower ballrace of the outer slide member of the upper slide mechanism is providedwith a depending arcuate shaped boss 216 and the upper ball race of theouter slide member of the lower slide mechanism is provided with asimilar boss 218. These bosses are in the path of movement of the roller210 and when the slide members are in the retracted position, the bosses216 and 218 are at opposite sides of the roller 210 and substantially incontact with the periphery of said roller. Thus, when the slidemechanisms are telescoped and in their retracted position, they arenormally held against extension by reason of the bosses engagement withthe roller 2").

While the slide mechanisms are held against extension by the bosses,said slide mechanisms may be extended by a force sufficient to overcomethe holding of the roller between the bosses. Since the roller is ofresilient material, it does not require a great deal of force to releasethe slide mechanisms to permit their extension.

This arrangement is for the purpose of releasably holding the drawer orthe like supported by the slides in the closed position so that thedrawer will not slide open should the cabinet, desk or the like beslidably inclined in a direction that would otherwise cause the drawerto slide open. Also, this arrangement, prevents the drawer from snappingor bumping out when it is closed.

Referring to FIG. 18, there is shown an alternative hold-in stopmechanism. In this arranagement, the bottom wall 220 is provided with apressed-out portion indicated generally at 222. This portion has a part224 inclined laterally and toward the adjacent end of the slide member.At the rear end of the part 224, there is a part 226 which is curvedtoward the adjacent wall of the slide member to provide a hump 228. Theother slide member 230 is provided with a frictional button of asuitable plastic, such as, for example, nylon, teflon or the like. Thisbutton is secured to the bottom of the slide member 230 by means of arivet 234 or any other suitable means. The free end of the buttom isrounded and is adapted to be at the outer side of the hump 228 when theslide members are telescoped and thus, hold the slide members in thetelescoped position under normal conditions. When it is desired toextend the slide members, a sufficient force may be readily applied tocause the button to ride over the hump 228 and thus release the slidemembers for normal extension.

Both of these arrangements serve the same purpose of holding the slidemembers in a telescoped position so that the drawer carried by theslides, will not inadvertently slide open. The resistance of the partsholding the slide members telescoped is not great and the drawer may bereadily pulled open.

SUMMARY Thus, we have provided slide mechanisms which have means forremovably mounting drawer slides and latching or locking drawers on theslides. The mounting means comprise adaptors attached to the sides of adrawer and the latching or locking means for securing the adaptors andthe slide mechanisms together, hold the adaptors from being lifted fromthe slide mechanisms and also hold the adaptors from sliding on theslide mechanisms when the latching means are in the latching or lockingposition. Also, by having the notches or openings for the latching meanson both upper and lower parts of the outer slide members, the slidemechanisms may all be formed the same and a mirror reversal of the slidemechanisms make it possible to use these same slide mechanisms foreither side of the drawer.

There are also novel bumper arrangements for muffling noises when partsof the slides reach stops. I

A further feature of the present invention includes hold-in stops whichhold the drawer in position when closed so that any slide forward tiltof the desk, cabinet or the like will not let the drawer come out. Also,holdin stops or detents, prevent the drawer from bumping out when it istoo forcefully closed.

The invention and its attendent advantages will be understood from theforegoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of theinvention without departing from the spirit or scope thereof orsacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbeforedescribed being merely by way of example, and we do not wish to berestricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned except asdefined in the accompanying claims.

We claim:

1. A drawer slide mechanism, comprising:

an outer slide member having facing ball races along the longitudinalside edges thereof;

an inner slide member having oppositely facing ball races along thelongitudinal side edges thereof, the ball races of the inner slidemember being spaced inwardly from and facing respective adjacent ballraces of the outer slide member to provide operable space for balls;

balls in the space between the respective adjacent ball races of outerand inner slide members;

a generally channel-shaped ball bearing retainer disposed between theouter and inner slide members, said ball bearing retainer having flangesat the outer longitudinal edges between adjacent ball races of the outerand inner slide members, said flanges having openings for the balls,said openings being of smaller size than the diameter of the the innerslide member being spaced inwardly from and facing respective adjacentball races of the outer slide member to provide operable space forballs;

balls in the space between the respective adjacent ball races of outerand inner slide members;

a generally channel-shaped ball bearing retainer disposed between theouter and inner slide members, said ball bearing retainer having flangesat the outer longitudinal edges between adjacent ball races of the outerand inner slide members, said flanges having openings for the balls,said openings being of smaller size than the diameter of the balls sosaid balls are held in the races of the outer slide member by theflanges of said ball bearing retainer;

and a drawer mounting adaptor adapted to be attached to the side of adrawer and resting on the top of the outer slide member of a slidemechanism;

balls so said balls are held in the races of the outer slide member bythe flanges of said ball bearing retainer;

and a drawer mounting adaptor adapted to be attached to the side of adrawer and resting on the top of the outer slide member of a slidemechanism;

a first releasable means for holding the adaptor against being liftedfrom the wall raise of the outer slide member;

and a second releasable means for holding the adaptor against slidinglongitudinal movement on the ball race of the slide mechanism.

2. A drawer slide mechanism, comprising:

an outer slide member having facing ball races along the longitudinalside edges thereof, the outer slide member having a notch in the upperball race adjacent the front end thereof;

an inner slide member having oppositely facing ball races along thelongitudinal side edges thereof, the ball races of a locking clampoperably carried by the adaptor and movable between a locking positionand a release position, said locking clamp having a part for engagingthe upper ball race of the outer slide member for holding the adaptorfrom being lifted off said upper ball race when the clamp is in thelocking position; V

and a locking block on said locking clamp disposed in the notch of theupper ball race of the outer slide member when the locking clamp is inthe closed position for holding the adaptor against longitudinalmovement relative to the outer slide member.

3. The invention defined by claim 1, wherein the adaptor includes alongitudinally extending rail having a horizontal part and a verticalflange upstanding from one edge of the horizontal part for attachment tothe side of a drawer; a lever pivoted to the horizontal part and movablebetween a latching position and a release position, said lever having adepending part with an inturned end portion adapted to be moved underthe free edge of the upper ball race of the outer slide member, and ablock of muffling material secured to said lever and disposed in thenotch in the upper ball race of said outer member.

4. An adaptor for attachment to a side of a drawer for mounting same ona slide mechanism having an outer slide member;

said adaptor having a rail in the general shape of a Z lying on its sideand including a horizonal part;

a lever having one end pivotly attached to the horizontal part of therail;

depending part intermediate the ends of the lever and carried thereby,an inwardly turned flange in general parallel spaced relation to thelever for engaging the free edge of the upper ball race of the outerslide member when the latch is in the closed position, a block ofmaterial secured to the underside of the lever and an upstanding ear atthe adjacent end of the lever for facilitating moving the lever betweenthe locked position and the unlocked position.

5. An adaptor for detachable attachment to a slide member of a slidemechanism, having a pair of openings in the ball race of the outer slidemember adjacent one end, comprising:

an elongated rail in the general shape of a Z lying on its side, saidrail including a horizontal part and an upstanding vertical partattachable to the side of a drawer;

a spring latch having one end secured to the horizontal part of the railand normally lying on the top surface of the rail;

a block ofsound muffling material secured to the free end portion of thespring latch;

a tongue inclined downwardly and toward the block of material lancedfrom the spring latch, said horizontal part of the rail having a pair ofopenings spaced longitudinally apart and adapted to receive' the blockof material and the tongue when the latch is in the closed position; v

and means for raising the free end of the spring latch.

6. The invention defined in claim 5 including a second pair of openingsin the opposite ball race of the outer slide member.

7. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein the spring latch isnormally in the closed position.

8. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein there are two extrusions inthe horizontal part of the rail, said extrusions being spaced apartlongitudinally of the rail and upwardly, and an opening through thehorizontal part intermediate said extrusions; said spring latch 108having a pair of openings adjacent the free ends in which the extrusionsare received, the free ends of said extrusions being riveted over; and adimple formed in the spring latch extending into the opening betweensaid extrusions, said dimple extending part-way through said opening sothat it does not extend beyond the lower surface of the spring latch.

9. The invention defined by claim 8, including a guide on the upstandingflange of the rail for holding the clamp member against lateraldisplacement.

10. The invention defined by claim 9, including a stop for limitingraise of the free end of the spring lever.

11. The invention defined by claim 5, in combination with a slidemechanism having an outer slide member, said slide member including aball race and a tab raised above the top of the ball race and facingforwardly for reception of the rear end of the horizontal part of therail; a U-shaped guide at the forward end of the rail for reception ofthe forward end of the outer slide member.

12. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein the slide mechanismincludes a ball retainer and a block of sound muffling material fittingover the central portion of said ball retainer, a shallow channel-shapedbracket disposed over the block of material with an end portion of saidmaterial extending beyond said block and adjacent end of the ballretainer; rivet means securing the bracket to the ball retainer andclamping said block of material onto said ball retainer; and inturnedend portions at the rear end of the bracket for engaging the adjacentend of the block for holding the block against inward movement.

13. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein there are a plurality oflongitudinally extending substantially parallel ridges in the bottom ofthe outer slide member extending beyond the openings in the ball race ofthe outer slide member.

14. A slide mechanism, comprising:

an intermediate member of generally Z shaped in cross-section. the Zlying on its side, said intermediate member having a horizontal partwith oppositely extending flanges along each side of said horizontalpart;

a slide mechanism including an inner slide member and an outer slidemember having the inner slide member attached to one of the flanges;

a slide mechanism having inner and outer slide members and having theinner slide member attached to the other flange, said intermediatemember having an opening therein intermediate the ends thereof;

a resilient roller rotatably mounted to adjacent portions of theintermediate member and occupying a part of the opening in saidintermediate member;

a boss extending outwardly of the ball race of one of the outer slidemembers and in the back of the roller;

a boss extending from the ball race of the outer slide wardly and towardthe adjacent end of the outer member of the other slide mechanism and inthe slide member, said pressed-out portion having a ba Oflhe roller;part inclined upwardly and toward the adjacent said roller beingdisposed between the bosses when end of the slide member, there being ahump at "16 the slide mechanisms are telescoped but adapted to roll oversaid bosses when the slide mechanisms are extended.

15. A slide mechanism, including:

junction of said parts; a button secured to the bottom wall of the innerslide member, said button having its free end positioned inner and outerslide members in telescoping relafor engagement mm the hump when theShde tionship. each of said slide members having a botmechanism iS teescoped. to ll; 16. The invention defined by claim 15, wherein the aportion pressed-out of the bottom wall of the outer ut is Of resilientaterial.

slide member and including a ramp inclined down-

1. A drawer slide mechanism, comprising: an outer slide member havingfacing ball races along the longitudinal side edges thereof; an innerslide member having oppositely facing ball races along the longitudinalside edges thereof, the ball races of the inner slide member beingspaced inwardly from and facing respective adjacent ball races of theouter slide member to provide operable space for balls; balls in thespace between the respective adjacent ball races of outer and innerslide members; a generally channel-shaped ball bearing retainer disposedbetween the outer and inner slide members, said ball bearing retainerhaving flanges at the outer longitudinal edges between adjacent ballraces of the outer and inner slide members, said flanges having openingsfor the balls, said openings being of smaller size than the diameter ofthe the inner slide member being spaced inwardly from and facingrespective adjacent ball races of the outer slide member to provideoperable space for balls; balls in the space between the respectiveadjacent ball races of outer and inner slide members; a generallychannel-shaped ball bearing retainer disposed between the outer andinner slide members, said ball bearing retainer having flanges at theouter longitudinal edges between adjacent ball races of the outer andinner slide members, said flanges having openings for the balls, saidopenings being of smaller size than the diameter of the balls so saidballs are held in the races of the outer slide member by the flanges ofsaid ball bearing retainer; and a drawer mounting adaptor adapted to beattached to the side of a drawer and resting on the top of the outerslide member of a slide mechanism; balls so said balls are held in theraces of the outer slide member by the flanges of said ball bearingretainer; and a drawer mounting adaptor adapted to be attached to theside of a drawer and resting on the top of the outer slide member of aslide mechanism; a first releasable means for holding the adaptoragainst being lifted from the wall raise of the outer slide member; anda second releasable means for holding the adaptor against slidinglongitudinal movement on the ball race of the slide mechanism.
 2. Adrawer slide mechanism, comprising: an outer slide member having facingball races along the longitudinal side edges thereof, the outer slidemember having a notch in the upper ball race adjacent the front endthereof; an inner slide member having oppositely facing ball races alongthe longitudinal side edges thereof, the ball races of a locking clampoperably carried by the adaptor and movable between a locking positionand a release position, said locking clamp having a part for engagingthe upper ball race of the outer slide member for holding the adaptorfrom being lifted off said upper ball race when the clamp is iN thelocking position; and a locking block on said locking clamp disposed inthe notch of the upper ball race of the outer slide member when thelocking clamp is in the closed position for holding the adaptor againstlongitudinal movement relative to the outer slide member.
 3. Theinvention defined by claim 1, wherein the adaptor includes alongitudinally extending rail having a horizontal part and a verticalflange upstanding from one edge of the horizontal part for attachment tothe side of a drawer; a lever pivoted to the horizontal part and movablebetween a latching position and a release position, said lever having adepending part with an inturned end portion adapted to be moved underthe free edge of the upper ball race of the outer slide member, and ablock of muffling material secured to said lever and disposed in thenotch in the upper ball race of said outer member.
 4. An adaptor forattachment to a side of a drawer for mounting same on a slide mechanismhaving an outer slide member; said adaptor having a rail in the generalshape of a Z lying on its side and including a horizonal part; a leverhaving one end pivotly attached to the horizontal part of the rail; adepending part intermediate the ends of the lever and carried thereby,an inwardly turned flange in general parallel spaced relation to thelever for engaging the free edge of the upper ball race of the outerslide member when the latch is in the closed position, a block ofmaterial secured to the under-side of the lever and an upstanding ear atthe adjacent end of the lever for facilitating moving the lever betweenthe locked position and the unlocked position.
 5. An adaptor fordetachable attachment to a slide member of a slide mechanism, having apair of openings in the ball race of the outer slide member adjacent oneend, comprising: an elongated rail in the general shape of a Z lying onits side, said rail including a horizontal part and an upstandingvertical part attachable to the side of a drawer; a spring latch havingone end secured to the horizontal part of the rail and normally lying onthe top surface of the rail; a block of sound muffling material securedto the free end portion of the spring latch; a tongue inclineddownwardly and toward the block of material lanced from the springlatch, said horizontal part of the rail having a pair of openings spacedlongitudinally apart and adapted to receive the block of material andthe tongue when the latch is in the closed position; and means forraising the free end of the spring latch.
 6. The invention defined inclaim 5 including a second pair of openings in the opposite ball race ofthe outer slide member.
 7. The invention defined by claim 5, wherein thespring latch is normally in the closed position.
 8. The inventiondefined by claim 5, wherein there are two extrusions in the horizontalpart of the rail, said extrusions being spaced apart longitudinally ofthe rail and upwardly, and an opening through the horizontal partintermediate said extrusions; said spring latch 108 having a pair ofopenings adjacent the free ends in which the extrusions are received,the free ends of said extrusions being riveted over; and a dimple formedin the spring latch extending into the opening between said extrusions,said dimple extending part-way through said opening so that it does notextend beyond the lower surface of the spring latch.
 9. The inventiondefined by claim 8, including a guide on the upstanding flange of therail for holding the clamp member against lateral displacement.
 10. Theinvention defined by claim 9, including a stop for limiting raise of thefree end of the spring lever.
 11. The invention defined by claim 5, incombination with a slide mechanism having an outer slide member, saidslide member including a ball race and a tab raised above the top of theball race and facing forwardly for reception of the rear end of thehorizontal part of the rail; a U-shaped guide at the forward end of therail for reception of the forward end of the outer slide member.
 12. Theinvention defined by claim 5, wherein the slide mechanism includes aball retainer and a block of sound muffling material fitting over thecentral portion of said ball retainer, a shallow channel-shaped bracketdisposed over the block of material with an end portion of said materialextending beyond said block and adjacent end of the ball retainer; rivetmeans securing the bracket to the ball retainer and clamping said blockof material onto said ball retainer; and inturned end portions at therear end of the bracket for engaging the adjacent end of the block forholding the block against inward movement.
 13. The invention defined byclaim 5, wherein there are a plurality of longitudinally extendingsubstantially parallel ridges in the bottom of the outer slide memberextending beyond the openings in the ball race of the outer slidemember.
 14. A slide mechanism, comprising: an intermediate member ofgenerally Z shaped in cross-section, the Z lying on its side, saidintermediate member having a horizontal part with oppositely extendingflanges along each side of said horizontal part; a slide mechanismincluding an inner slide member and an outer slide member having theinner slide member attached to one of the flanges; a slide mechanismhaving inner and outer slide members and having the inner slide memberattached to the other flange, said intermediate member having an openingtherein intermediate the ends thereof; a resilient roller rotatablymounted to adjacent portions of the intermediate member and occupying apart of the opening in said intermediate member; a boss extendingoutwardly of the ball race of one of the outer slide members and in theback of the roller; a boss extending from the ball race of the outerslide member of the other slide mechanism and in the back of the roller;said roller being disposed between the bosses when the slide mechanismsare telescoped but adapted to roll over said bosses when the slidemechanisms are extended.
 15. A slide mechanism, including: inner andouter slide members in telescoping relationship, each of said slidemembers having a bottom wall; a portion pressed-out of the bottom wallof the outer slide member and including a ramp inclined downwardly andtoward the adjacent end of the outer slide member, said pressed-outportion having a part inclined upwardly and toward the adjacent end ofthe slide member, there being a hump at the junction of said parts; abutton secured to the bottom wall of the inner slide member, said buttonhaving its free end positioned for engagement with the hump when theslide mechanism is telescoped.
 16. The invention defined by claim 15,wherein the button is of resilient material.